TheSpecial Investigation Service orSTT (Lithuanian:Specialiųjų tyrimų tarnyba) is a law enforcement institution inLithuania serving under theSeimas and thePresident of Lithuania to combatcorruption.[1] With departments inKaunas,Klaipėda,Šiauliai andPanevėžys, its objectives are to identify and investigate cases of corruption as well as to prevent it through education and introduction of improved procedures in the public sector.
With growing awareness of corruption in 1990s and several scandals (most notable of them was linked to the Prime MinisterAdolfas Šleževičius), theHomeland Union won1996 Lithuanian parliamentary election. The newly formed Lithuanian government, led byGediminas Vagnorius, decided in 1997[1] to establish a separate organization for addressing the problem. It was done by government's decree.
Main task of the STT was detection and detention of corrupt and abusive of power officials (civil servants, judges and so).[2][3]
The STT was accordingly established and for its first several years was overseen by theMinistry of the Interior. In May 2000, it came under the direct oversight of thePresident andSeimas.
